I still remember the morning mist curling through the trees as I turned off the B255 into the heart of the Westerwald. The tarmac was glistening from a light drizzle overnight, but the sky was clearing. It was the kind of day that hinted at adventure. A day meant for something special. And parked in front of me, in deep Marina Bay Blue with glowing kidneys and split headlights like a futuristic guardian, was exactly that: the BMW X7 xDrive40d.
At over five meters long and tipping the scales at nearly 2.6 tonnes, the X7 doesn’t whisper. It announces. You don’t just drive this car, you command it. The ADAC had tested it under the microscope, but out here, in the undulating terrain of the Westerwald, I was going to feel what the numbers truly meant.
The Beast Unleashed: What is the BMW X7?
BMW’s X7 is not just a luxury SUV. It’s a rolling manifesto of what Munich engineers can do when the only instruction is: make it bigger, stronger, smarter. This is BMW’s largest SUV ever, a vehicle that not only competes with the Mercedes GLS and Range Rover but seeks to outdo them with Germanic precision and a distinctly American scale.
Built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, this full, size SUV is a bold symbol of global engineering. Refreshed in 2022 with a more aggressive face and cutting, edge tech, the X7 now wears its illuminated kidney grille and split LED, Swarovski headlights like badges of honor.
The model I had was the xDrive40d, a diesel mild, hybrid with all, wheel drive, an 8, speed automatic, and more torque than most small trucks. There’s no plug, in hybrid option here (sadly), but the mild, hybrid system is designed to smooth out and support the turbocharged inline, six under load. We’ll get to what that means on real roads shortly.
Performance that Shrinks Mountains
The roads in the Westerwald don’t take kindly to heavy, cumbersome vehicles. They twist, dip, and rise like a rollercoaster designed by nature herself. But even here, the X7 surprised me.
It shouldn’t move the way it does. At 2,565 kg, you expect sluggish cornering and lumbering acceleration. But the air suspension, adaptive dampers, rear, wheel steering, and active roll stabilization all work behind the scenes like seasoned pit crew mechanics, keeping this giant composed and confident. You still feel its mass, but never in a way that causes concern.
From a standstill, the X7 xDrive40d launches with real urgency. The inline, six diesel, paired with a 48V mild, hybrid system, delivers 352 hp and a gigantic 720 Nm of torque. That’s the kind of grunt that lets you overtake on narrow German B, roads without breaking a sweat. The 0, 100 km/h sprint? A rapid 5.9 seconds. In a car this size? That’s borderline witchcraft.
In real, world driving, especially while climbing towards the viewing points near Bad Marienberg, I could feel the mild hybrid assisting under throttle, subtle, but effective. It filled in the torque gaps, kept revs low, and smoothed out shifts from the ZF 8, speed gearbox, which honestly deserves an award for always knowing the right gear at the right time.
Cruising at 130 km/h on the Autobahn towards Montabaur, the engine ticked along at a lazy 1,800 rpm. You feel almost guilty using just a quarter of its potential.
Inside the Living Room on Wheels
Slipping inside the X7 after a misty hike around the Fuchskaute felt like entering another world. The cabin smells of fine leather and subtle wood grain, like the study of a Bavarian billionaire. The dashboard now flows around a giant curved display that combines the instrument cluster and infotainment into one seamless panel. Crisp graphics. Fluid animations. Lag, free inputs.
BMW’s iDrive 8 takes center stage here. You can use the rotary dial, touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, voice command (“Hey BMW”), or even gestures. Is it overkill? Yes. Do I love it? Also yes. Sure, the menu system has the complexity of a fighter jet’s control panel, but once you know your way around, it’s second nature.
The seats, especially in the front and second row, are a triumph. Multi, way adjustable, heated, cooled, massaging. The third row, which you can raise or lower electrically, isn’t just a marketing gimmick either. I’m 1.84 meters tall and still fit back there with room to breathe.
During lunch in the back seat while charging some camera gear, I noticed a detail I’d missed before: the panoramic Sky Lounge roof lit up with a thousand micro LEDs like a mini Milky Way. It’s magic, especially at dusk.
Cargo, Comfort, and Compromise
Now, let’s talk practicality. The X7 is enormous, but oddly, the trunk space with all seven seats in place is just 155 liters, barely enough for a few backpacks. But drop the third row and you get 750 liters. Flatten everything and it transforms into a moving van with 2,120 liters of space.
For my trip, I packed two bikes in the back with both wheels removed, and thanks to the flat floor and wide tailgate opening, it was much easier than I anticipated. Bonus: the air suspension can lower the rear for loading. Genius.
In terms of comfort, BMW has nailed the long, distance formula. The ride quality is adjustable from cloud, soft to Porsche, firm thanks to the adaptive air suspension. Over cobbled streets in Rennerod or faster autobahn stints, the X7 never lost its composure.
What’s Missing?
For all its grandeur, the X7 does have one notable absence: a plug, in hybrid. While the 7 Series sedan has this option, the X7 doesn’t. In a world increasingly leaning toward electrification, this feels like a strange omission, especially for a brand that prides itself on innovation.
Fuel consumption? ADAC measured around 8.1 l/100 km in mixed driving, which sounds reasonable for such a mammoth, but it’s still thirsty. If you push it, 9.0 to 10.5 liters isn’t unheard of. But it’s clean, very clean. Emissions were impressively low even under high, speed, high, load scenarios. A testament to modern diesel tech.
BMW X7 xDrive40d: Technical Data
To stay accurate and dependable, we obtain our technical info directly from BMW’s official source.
| Specification | Value |
| Engine Type | 3.0L inline, 6 diesel, mild hybrid |
| Displacement | 2,993 cc |
| Power Output | 352 hp (259 kW) |
| Torque | 720 Nm |
| 0, 100 km/h | 5.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 245 km/h |
| Transmission | 8, speed automatic (ZF) |
| Drivetrain | All, wheel drive (xDrive) |
| Combined Fuel Consumption (WLTP) | 8.0 l/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | 210 g/km |
| Length × Width × Height | 5,181 mm × 2,000 mm × 1,835 mm |
| Unladen Weight (EU) | 2,565 kg |
| Max Payload | 760 kg |
| Braked Towing Capacity | 3,500 kg |
| Trunk Volume (5/7 seats) | 750 L / 155 L |
| Max Trunk Volume (seats down) | 2,120 L |
| Base Price (Germany) | €112,800 |
Conclusion: Who is the X7 Really For?
As I rolled back into the village roads near Hachenburg, the X7 glided over every bump like a silent jetliner. I realized this car isn’t just about space or speed. It’s about presence. Confidence. Being able to transport seven adults in total comfort without breaking a sweat, yet still keep up with hot hatches on winding roads.
The BMW X7 is for those who demand luxury, performance, and technology without compromise. It’s for families who refuse to settle for a van, and for individuals who want the full BMW experience without giving up on utility.
It’s not perfect. A plug, in hybrid should exist. The fuel economy is acceptable but not great. And navigating tight parking garages with a five, meter SUV is never relaxing. But none of that changes what this car is: a magnificent machine.
Is the X7 too big for daily driving in Germany?
Not necessarily. With rear, wheel steering and excellent camera assistance, the X7 feels much smaller than it looks, until you try to squeeze into a tight Altstadt parking lot.
How is X7 in winter or off, road?
With xDrive, adjustable ride height, and traction modes, the X7 handles snow, gravel, and moderate trails with ease. It’s not a Land Cruiser, but for most use cases, it’s more than capable.
Is the diesel loud or rough for X7?
Not at all. It’s refined, quiet, and the mild hybrid smooths out low, speed transitions beautifully. Only under full throttle does it let out a subtle growl.
